Foremost among these broad purposes of government is our support of freedom, justice and peace.

It is of the utmost importance, that each of us understand the true nature of the struggle now taking place in the world.

It is not a struggle merely of economic theories, or of forms of government, or of military power.  At issue is the true nature of man.  Either man is the creature whom the Psalmist described as “a little lower than the angels,” crowned with glory and honor, holding “dominion over the works” of his Creator; or man is a soulless, animated machine to be enslaved, used and consumed by the state for its own glorification.

It is, therefore, a struggle which goes to the roots of the human spirit, and its shadow falls across the long sweep of man’s destiny.  This prize, so precious, so fraught with ultimate meaning, is the true object of the contending forces in the world.

In the past year, there has been progress justifying hope, both for continuing peace and for the ultimate rule of freedom and justice in the world.  Free nations are collectively stronger than at any time in recent years.

Just as nations of this Hemisphere, in the historic Caracas and Rio conferences, have closed ranks against imperialistic Communism and strengthened their economic ties, so free nations elsewhere have forged new bonds of unity.

Recent agreements between Turkey and Pakistan have laid a foundation for increased strength in the Middle East.  With our understanding support, Egypt and Britain, Yugoslavia and Italy, Britain and Iran have resolved dangerous differences.  The security of the Mediterranean has been enhanced by an alliance among Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia.  Agreements in Western Europe have paved the way for unity to replace past divisions which have undermined Europe’s economic and military vitality.  The defense of the West appears likely at last to include a free, democratic Germany participating as an equal in the councils of NATO.

In Asia and the Pacific, the pending Manila Pact supplements our treaties with Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Korea and Japan and our prospective treaty with the Republic of China.  These pacts stand as solemn warning that future military aggression and subversion against the free nations of Asia will meet united response.  The Pacific Charter, also adopted at Manila, is a milestone in the development of human freedom and self-government in the Pacific area.

Under the auspices of the United Nations, there is promise of progress in our country’s plan for the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Finally, today the world is at peace.  It is, to be sure, an secure peace.  Yet all humanity finds hope in the simple fact that for an appreciable time there has been no active major battlefield on earth.  This same fact inspires us to work all the more effectively with other nations for the well-being, the freedom, the dignity, of every human on earth.